novelraw Chapter 65
Chapter 65
Wang Qingkui carefully inspected the ten Hundredfold Steel spears that Su Wangchuan had prepared for the escort agency. A satisfied smile appeared on his face.
“Elder Lin truly knows how to judge people. These ten Hundredfold Steel spears are excellent. Master Wangchuan truly lives up to Elder Lin’s recommendation.”
As he spoke, he took out a money pouch and handed it over.
“This is the sixty taels of silver payment from Qingfeng Escort Agency. Please check it, Master Wangchuan.”
Su Wangchuan took it, glanced inside, and indeed saw six heavy silver ingots.
“Payment and goods settled cleanly. Doing business with Qingfeng Escort Agency really is comfortable. If the agency has similar needs in the future, feel free to ask. I will certainly do my utmost to provide high-quality weapons.”
“Heh.”
Wang Qingkui chuckled. “Actually, aside from picking up the goods, I was also entrusted by our escort leader to place another order with you, Master Wangchuan.”
“Oh? What else does your agency wish to have forged?”
Hearing that there was another order, Su Wangchuan was naturally pleased.The task at hand was complete, but he could not afford to sit idle and live off past gains.
If there was work, he had to take it.
“Elder Lin mentioned that Master Wangchuan forges armor-piercing arrows with great proficiency—fast and at a rate of five taels of silver per quiver. Our escort leader would like to order one hundred armor-piercing arrows from you, to be used against the Nu Tao Gang.”
When Su Wangchuan heard “five taels of silver per quiver,” a smile had already spread across his face.
Although the scale was only twenty-five taels of silver, it was still very good.
“Deal.”
“At the latest, by the morning after next, Brother Wang, you can come and collect them.”
Su Wangchuan set the delivery time directly.
“So fast!”
Wang Qingkui was greatly shocked. He cupped his fists and said,
“Very well! I will come early the morning after next to receive the goods. Farewell!”
With that, Wang Qingkui decisively left with the Hundredfold Steel spears.
With sixty taels of silver in hand, Su Wangchuan naturally did not keep it all to himself. He took out a five-tael silver ingot and had Chen Ergou and the others split it among themselves.
In just a few short days, the four had earned more than a month’s wages. They were utterly convinced by Su Wangchuan.
Inside the weapon room, many helpers revealed looks of envy.
Comparing people only made one furious.
With Room Master Zhang in charge, they were treated harshly in every way. Each month, they worked themselves to exhaustion for only about two taels of silver, with hardly any rewards.
Master Wangchuan, on the other hand, shared part of the earnings with the helpers who assisted him whenever he made money forging Hundredfold Steel weapons.
And moreover…
For ten Hundredfold Steel spears, Room Master Zhang had dared to quote a pitiful payment of three taels of silver.
They also felt deeply ashamed by it. That very day, several helpers privately expressed their desire to come work under Su Wangchuan.
Su Wangchuan naturally did not refuse. He immediately discussed it with Room Master Zhang, citing a shortage of manpower under him and requesting a few more workers by name.
Room Master Zhang already felt guilty. Without a word of objection, he waved his hand and assigned those four people over.
The sixteen helpers of the weapon room were officially split evenly.
At the same time, Su Wangchuan also obtained half of the weapon room’s counters.
That evening, Fei Zai came to the weapon room looking for him.
“I heard from Elder Lin that, as a Quasi-Martial Artist, you applied for a copy of 《Yang Family Spear Technique》. Hall Master He has already approved it. This is the martial manual for 《Yang Family Spear Technique》.”
Fei Zai took out the manual and handed it over.
Su Wangchuan’s eyes lit up. He immediately accepted it, smiling broadly as he expressed his thanks.
“Thank you, Brother Fei Zai.”
He then said to Fei Zai, “If Brother Fei Zai has any weapons that need repairing, or wants something forged, just let me know. I’ll give you half price.”
Now that Su Wangchuan had backing, he dared to make such promises.
Fei Zai was overjoyed and cupped his fists.
“Since you say that, then as a brother I won’t stand on ceremony. I want a Hundredfold Steel dagger and a Hundredfold Steel saber. Can you forge them?”
“For a Hundredfold Steel dagger, I already have one on hand. If you want it, three taels of silver and you can take it right away. As for a Hundredfold Steel saber, I haven’t learned it yet. It may take some time.”
Su Wangchuan took out the Hundredfold Steel dagger he had forged from his waist and handed it over.
Fei Zai accepted it and could not put it down.
“This thing is brand new. The market price is at least seven taels or more. Fine! Three taels of silver—I’m taking advantage of you as an older brother. With the dagger in hand, the saber can wait. Whenever you finish forging it, I’ll come pick it up.”
“Alright.”
Fei Zai happily paid the silver. Before leaving, he deliberately shared a piece of information.
“The gang has been mobilizing troops frequently lately. They should be heading out from the docks to find the Nu Tao Gang’s water stronghold and have a proper fight. This time, besides us, Qingfeng Escort Agency and the authorities will also be involved. We’ve even invited several martial artists from the city to assist. I reckon new weapon orders will come down soon. You should prepare early and take this chance to earn more silver.”
Su Wangchuan knew that Hall Master He was currently overseeing many of the gang’s internal affairs, so this information was likely accurate.
Moreover, Hall Master He had taken away a large batch of armor-piercing arrows and ordinary arrows just yesterday. There was a clear sense of an approaching storm.
He needed to prepare in advance.
“Ergou!”
“Master Wangchuan.”
Chen Ergou immediately stepped forward.
Su Wangchuan instructed, “Tell everyone to focus. I’m starting on Qingfeng Escort Agency’s order right now—armor-piercing arrows. You all, from this moment on, put all your effort into forging iron arrowheads.”
“Yes!”
Chen Ergou was wholeheartedly convinced by Su Wangchuan. The other seven, upon receiving the order, carried it out meticulously, each one brimming with fighting spirit.
Room Master Zhang did not appear for the rest of the night.
It was not until the next day, when he finally arrived late to forge his Hundredfold Steel saber, that he discovered Su Wangchuan had already forged one hundred Hundredfold Steel arrowheads in just one night and one morning.
Now, several apprentices under Su Wangchuan had begun stockpiling ordinary iron arrowheads on their own.
Meanwhile, the people under Room Master Zhang sat listlessly in the distance, staring blankly.
Room Master Zhang frowned slightly.
At that moment, someone walked in from behind with steady footsteps.
Hall Master He arrived in person. His sharp gaze swept over the rear courtyard, taking in the starkly different mental states of the two blacksmiths. His brows knit tightly.
“Hall Master He.”
“What brings you here?”
Room Master Zhang bent slightly and greeted him.
Several apprentices under him hurriedly stood up, their expressions respectful.
On Su Wangchuan’s side, however, he did not hear anything, completely absorbed in his forging.
Hall Master He walked up in front of Su Wangchuan and coughed once. Only then did Su Wangchuan come back to his senses, stop his work, and cup his fists in greeting.
“Hall Master He.”
Hall Master He glanced at the bundles of armor-piercing arrows stacked beside him and revealed a satisfied smile.
“Well done. The weapon room must work diligently when there are orders, but in ordinary times, you should also be prepared, stockpiling enough weapons and consumables.”
“The higher-ups have decided to increase the order by five hundred armor-piercing arrows and five thousand arrows. Because they’re needed urgently, the two of you will work together and must finish them within three days. Is there any problem?”
Hall Master He asked the two of them.
Their reactions differed immediately.
“Isn’t that too rushed?” Room Master Zhang instinctively showed a troubled expression.
Almost at the same time, Su Wangchuan spoke up. “No problem.”
“…”
The two looked at each other, and a deathly silence fell over the scene.
Hall Master He’s gaze turned as sharp as a wolf’s, locking onto Room Master Zhang. His tone grew cold.
“What? If Wangchuan can do it, Room Master Zhang can’t?”
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